- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Canon EOS 50D
- 15.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
#1 in cheapest pro DSLRs
Released August, 2008
Rated 100% by by P.-Williford (Mar, 2010)One attractive quality is that you can see all of the settings when you look in the view finder so you can make adjustments while you are framing up a shot.
Conclusion Check out the Canon EOS 50D
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Canon EOS 50D
15.1 MP
APS-C
Rated 80% by by ByrnaHowever, one cannot expect much from the built-in flashes of DSLRs and if you are serious about flash photography, you would want the superb Canon 580 series flash...The camera is quite large so you would need a fairly large pair of hands but not too big that it would overwhelm you.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 22.1 MP    | 30 MP |
EOS 50D by Jodi-Ann-RichardsDigital Camera Review makes it much clearer what the issue is: "If anything, the extreme resolution of the new image sensor makes the lenses a potential weak link in terms of overall image quality.
sensor size
EOS 50D by K.-DeVitto--Ceit (Nov, 2008)I would have loved to see a full frame CMOS sensor, but I can't have everything and price too!
EOS 50D by DPReview (Oct, 2008)It appears that Canon has reached the limit of what is sensible, in terms of megapixels on an APS-C sensor.
viewfinder size
EOS 50D by c|net (Oct, 2008)But it's missing the vegetables, like an improved AF system, smaller spot meter, better viewfinder coverage, and customizable boundaries for shutter speed and aperture, which might have pushed it from compelling to must have.
EOS 50D by Matt-M. (Jun, 2009)But I'll tell you this: I've spent more time trying to clean the view finder glass or sending it in to have it cleaned than I have actually spent taking photographs.
body size
146 x 108 x 74 mm
117 x 91 x 69 mm
127 x 97 x 79 mm
EOS 50D by von (Feb, 2010)While this isn't a pocket size, light weight camera, it will perform where lightweight cameras cant.
EOS 50D by R.-Major (May, 2010)I also like that it has a little weight to it as it just feels more solid than the light weight plastic body cameras.
focus points
| 0 | 11 | 70 |
EOS 50D by LNK--juggling-life (Oct, 2010)I was adjusting my focal points and finding that after snapping the picture, the LCD screen was showing me red pixels in the exact same spot that the focus point was.
Performance Real world tests of Canon EOS 50D
DxOMark image quality
EOS 50D by Dom-Miliano (Aug, 2009)I think it produces pro-quality images (assuming good quality - AKA "L" - glass is used) and so far, my editors seem to agree.
DxOMark low light performance
EOS 50D by A.-Rabun--verelseI got similar results except in a low light interior shot without flash, I could not get the Tokina lens to focus in Auto mode using the Xti.
EOS 50D by Jodi-Ann-RichardsThis is really important when you want to shoot in available natural light such as at dusk or at dawn when the light is really beautiful.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 273 ms | 200 ms |
EOS 50D by Abdelrahman-Elmously (Jun, 2010)processing, menus, image playback, shutter lag, start up time; basically the time you take to change anything in the camera.
EOS 50D by M.-Owen--Mike-Owen-Photo (May, 2009)The decreased shutter lag and the increase in frames per second has allowed me to get those action shots easier than before.
continuous shooting
EOS 50D by DPReview (Oct, 2008)If you use continuous shooting a lot it's well worth investing in a fast card.
EOS 50D by DPReview (Oct, 2008)Continuous shooting was exactly as specified although a UDMA card is certainly a sensible investment if you plan to use the function a lot.
battery life
640 photos
1,100 photos
1,100 photos
EOS 50D by Cybermage (Nov, 2008)The battery life is very impressive and rarely need to use my two back-ups unless in the wild for some time.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
Generic -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
131 ms -
Opaque -
300 ms -
Built in flash -
74 mm -
146 x 108 x 74 mm -
822 g -
1/8000 s
cons
-
63.0 -
APS-C -
Aug, 2008 -
21.8 bits -
You'll have to protect your camera from the elements -
95% -
0.59x -
696 ISO -
3" -
920 k dots -
11.4 ev -
12,800 ISO -
15.1 MP -
9 -
No automatic HDR -
640 -
6.3 fps -
None -
9 -
The screen is fixed in place -
85.61% -
No geotagging included -
None -
No automatic stitching
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 289 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Michael-Sharnet--Tx-Mikey (Feb, 2010) Rated 100% by by AtomicMom--AtomicMom (Feb, 2010) Rated 80% by by Jersey (Mar, 2010) |
Lens
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 80% by by Alana-Danes (Oct, 2009)With the 28-135 lens I got some pretty sharp shots with it and think its a good basic Lens, Yes my Primes (I like my primes) do better, but did enjoy using the lens on this camera for simple walks when I only wanted one lens with me and nothing else.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by Bartski (Oct, 2008)the EF-S 18-200mm IS lens is a great all purpose lens and I love it.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by Daddy-B-Me (Dec, 2008)The 200mm lens is a great all around lens as well.
Sensor
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by T.-Murchison--tmurch (Aug, 2009)Considering that the 50D was about $400 cheaper than my 20D if feel that this a real value for the quantum leap in resolution,onboard processing power, increased LCD size, sensor cleaner etc..
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by Jodi-Ann-RichardsIt is assumed that if you are buying a camera like that, that you already know how to set your own aperture and shutter speed etc.J. High ISO Noise Reduction.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 80% by by Peter-Witham (Oct, 2008)The in camera JPEG files are OK...until you see what the RAW files can do, but at times it's nice to use in camera JPEG's when I am just doing point and shot stuff.
Image quality
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by T.-Petursson (Oct, 2009)I already have one of my pictures taken on this camera displayed on a wall in the living room, it is 5.2 feet wide and even despite of the size, the picture quality is good.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 80% by by M.J (Apr, 2009)the images are crisp, sharp and the colours are saturated enough.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 80% by by Abdelrahman-Elmously (Jun, 2010)Conclusion ... if you are looking for a good image quality and you don't want to pay 2000$+ i would say that this camera is the best choice.2 : Camera Speed.
Photography
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 80% by by PhotoDorer--PhotoDorer (Feb, 2012)I've shot portraits, weddings, and sports with this body and I also shoot long exposure photos in very complicated lighting situations and I've even printed some of those photos as large as 24x36 and the prints are GORGEOUS!
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by froggy23 (Oct, 2010)I definitely enjoy photography and will enjoy using the manual settings to get the look that I want on my photos.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by Alex-Vox (Dec, 2008)I don't shoot much of action photography but overall responsiveness, instant readiness of this camera is very satisfying.
Iso
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by James-W.-Picht (Sep, 2009)At ISO 1600 the pictures are nice and clear.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by SJE (Nov, 2008)This camera is nice if one requires better results at ISOs 1,600 and 3,200.
Canon EOS 50D | Rated 100% by by Jodi-Ann-RichardsYou might be thinking that it is absurd that anyone should want to use ISO 6400 and worse ISO 12800.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III Largest screen 5D Mark III vs 50D |
 | 2 | Canon EOS 6D Best image quality as rated by DXOMark 6D vs 50D |
 | 3 | Canon EOS 40D Fastest rapid fire mode 40D vs 50D |
 | 4 | Nikon D5100 Larger dynamic range Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS 50D |
 | 5 | Canon EOS 60D 2-way tie: Most shots per battery charge 60D vs 50D |
 | 6 | Canon EOS 650D 3-way tie: Has a touch screen 650D vs 50D |
 | 7 | Canon Rebel T5i 2-way tie: Newest Rebel T5i vs EOS 50D |
 | 8 | Canon EOS 100D Smallest 100D vs 50D |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
August 15, 2012
Best Lens for a Canon EOS 40d/50d for a Beginner
Hi I am fairly new to photography and am currently using a Fujifilm Finepix SL240 camera. I am currently considering purchasing either a Canon EOS 40d or a Canon EOS 50d and would like your...
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Answers April 11, 2012
Mostly nature,wildlife, but also for family and friend gatherings.
I currently have a canon xsi, with several lenses. A canon 70-200mm f/4 L ,55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 ,18-55is . I eventually want to sell my photo's and take pictures professionally. Unsure which camera...
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Answers April 6, 2012
I want to upgrade from a 20 d
I am an artist that loves photography. Want easy and to be able to react quickly and also do manual shooting
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Answers Unanswered Questions
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September 28, 2012
Canon 50D vs Sony DSC-HX200V resolution
Something's not right here! In your comparison you state the Canon 50D as having Significantly higher true resolution (15.1 vs 9.7). huh??!! How, when the Sony is a 18MP camera! Please explain
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Answers September 8, 2012
What camera body is best for me to consider having
Im not new to photography but Im not a veteran neither Im what I guess would be an amateur somewhere in between. I have my BFA and photography is what I make my living with I have been sharing a...
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Answers Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Canon EOS 50D
8
people have recommended the
Canon EOS 50DTop Canon EOS 50D experts at Sortable
Canon EOS 60D
- 17.9 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
5 more Sortable users recommended the 50D over the 60D.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner II
1
vote I own the 50d and it's a workhorse! The 60D lost some great features of it's previous release and favored the video functions. If you care only for stills the 50d is a better choice, since it's...
- 0 comments
- August 31, 2012
- Reply to: I want to upgrade from a 20 d
Expert III
1
vote Get the 50D because you will be able to find it for a better price than the 60D. Make sure you're buying it from someone with good reputation.
- 0 comments
- August 9, 2012
- Reply to: Upgrade from 400d and all round lens for it!
Expert III
0
votes The 50D and 60D have the same lens mount and hotshoe, so all your lenses and flashes will be transferable. But the 50D uses battery grip BG-E2N while the 60D takes BG-E9. The controls are also ...
- 0 comments
- April 15, 2012
- Reply to: Outdoors, family, hunting , fishing, sports
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- 21 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3" LCD
It's a tie. Cast the deciding vote!
View all discussions | View comparison Beginner II
1
vote The best advice is learn the trade first and then get the best lenses you can afford. If you lose interest in photography you can get back most of your investment in lenses (especially the canon...
- 0 comments
- August 30, 2012
- Reply to: Mostly nature,wildlife, but also for family and friend gatherings.
